登陆注册
8778300000025

第25章 10Caught(3)

This is an occasion that demands the exercise of yourundoubted intelligence. There is no mystery here. I amFrank Goodwin; and I have come for the money. I enteredthis room at a venture. Had I entered the other I wouldhave had it before me now. Do you want it in words? Thegentleman in Number 10 has betrayed a great trust. Hehas robbed his people of a large sum, and it is I who willprevent their losing it. I do not say who that gentleman is;but if I should be forced to see him and he should prove tobe a certain high official of the republic, it will be my dutyto arrest him. The house is guarded. I am offering youliberal terms. It is not absolutely necessary that I conferpersonally with the gentleman in the next room. Bring methe valise containing the money, and we will call the affairended.”

The lady arose from her chair and stood for a moment,thinking deeply.

“Do you live here, Mr. Goodwin?” she asked, presently.

“Yes.”

“What is your authority for this intrusion?”

“I am an instrument of the republic. I was advised bywire of the movements of the—gentleman in Number 10.”

“May I ask you two or three questions? I believe you tobe a man more apt to be truthful than—timid. What sortof town is this—Coralio, I think they call it?”

“Not much of a town,” said Goodwin, smiling. “A bananatown, as they run. Grass huts, ’dobes, five or six twostoryhouses, accomodations limited, population half-breed Spanish and Indian, Caribs and blackamoors. Nosidewalks to speak of, no amusements. Rather unmoral.

That’a an offhand sketch, of course.”

“Are there any inducements, say in a social or in abusiness way, for people to reside here?”

“Oh, yes,” answered Goodwin, smiling broadly. “Thereare no afternoon teas, no hand-organs, no departmentstores—and there is no extradition treaty.”

“He told me,” went on the lady, speaking as if to herself,and with a slight frown, “that there were towns on thiscoast of beauty and importance; that there was a pleasingsocial order—especially an American colony of culturedresidents.”

“There is an American colony,” said Goodwin, gazing ather in some wonder. “Some of the members are all right.

Some are fugitives from justice from the States. I recalltwo exiled bank presidents, one army paymaster undera cloud, a couple of manslayers, and a widow—arsenic, Ibelieve, was the suspicion in her case. I myself completethe colony, but, as yet, I have not distinguished myself byany particular crime.”

“Do not lose hope,” said the lady, dryly; “I see nothingin your actions tonight to guarantee you further obscurity.

Some mistake has been made; I do not know just where.

But him you shall not disturb tonight. The journey hasfatigued him so that he has fallen asleep, I think, in hisclothes. You talk of stolen money! I do not understandyou. Some mistake has been made. I will convince you.

Remain where you are and I will bring you the valise thatyou seem to covet so, and show it to you.”

She moved toward the closed door that connected thetwo rooms, but stopped, and half turned and bestowedupon Goodwin a grave, searching look that ended in aquizzical smile.

“You force my door,” she said, “and you follow yourruffianly behavior with the basest accusations; and yet” —shehesitated, as if to reconsider what she was about to say—“and yet—it is a puzzling thing—I am sure there has beensome mistake.”

She took a step toward the door, but Goodwin stayedher by a light touch upon her arm. I have said before thatwomen turned to look at him in the streets. He was theviking sort of man, big, good-looking, and with an air ofkindly truculence. She was dark and proud, glowing or paleas her mood moved her. I do not know if Eve were light ordark, but if such a woman had stood in the garden I knowthat the apple would have been eaten. This woman was tobe Goodwin’s fate, and he did not know it; but he musthave felt the first throes of destiny, for, as he faced her, theknowledge of what report named her turned bitter in herthroat.

“If there has been any mistake,” he said, hotly, “it wasyours. I do not blame the man who has lost his country,his honor, and is about to lose the poor consolation of hisstolen riches as much as I blame you, for, by Heaven! I canvery well see how he was brought to it. I can understand,and pity him. It is such women as you that strew thisdegraded coast with wretched exiles, that make menforget their trusts, that drag—”

The lady interrupted him with a weary gesture.

“There is no need to continue your insults,” she said,coldly. “I do not understand what you are saying, nordo I know what mad blunder you are making; but if theinspection of the contents of a gentleman’s portmanteauwill rid me of you, let us delay it no longer.”

She passed quickly and noiselessly into the other room,and returned with the heavy leather valise, which shehanded to the American with an air of patient contempt.

Goodwin set the valise quickly upon the table andbegan to unfasten the straps. The Lady stood by, with anexpression of infinite scorn and weariness upon her face.

The valise opened wide to a powerful, sidelong wrench.

Goodwin dragged out two or three articles of clothing,exposing the bulk of its contents—package after packageof tightly packed United States bank and treasury notesof large denomination. Reckoning from the high figureswritten upon the paper bands that bound them, the totalmust have come closely upon the hundred thousand mark.

同类推荐
  • 商务英语实用大全

    商务英语实用大全

    《商务英语实用大全》专为正要踏入职场和努力在职场打拼的读者设计,从商务口语篇和商务写作篇两大方面入手,既能够帮助读者提升口语方面的交际能力,又能增加书面的业务知识。
  • 我的第一本英语百科全书

    我的第一本英语百科全书

    本书的特色:全!全到不能再全的英语百科,内容涵盖口语、俚语、句型、短语、希腊神话一应俱全细!每个常识讲解非常的详尽,深入浅出,很好地解决了读者学习时的“输出”问题!酷!课堂上很少能接触到的美式英语。英语最实用常识一网打尽!值!超长美语录音MP3免费下载,标准美音,地道表达,犹如外教在身边,给读者以超值的学习体验!练口语,会俚语,学句型,知短语,晓故事,这些基础知识是学习好英语的基础,而《我的第一本英语百科全书》已完整收录了所有功能,相信读者在使用本书后,英文能力肯定能够得到全面提升!
  • 终极英语日常用语1980句

    终极英语日常用语1980句

    本书内容包括:用餐宴请;居家交流;职场办公;校园求学;旅游出行;逛街购物等基本交际口语。
  • 查拉图斯特拉如此说+善恶彼岸(英文版)

    查拉图斯特拉如此说+善恶彼岸(英文版)

    《查拉图斯特拉如此说》是德国著名哲学家尼采的代表作之一,是一部被称作“哲学小说”的书。此书成书于1883—1885年间。就是在这部书里,尼采写道:“上帝死了!”,并且同时还说自己正在研究“快乐的科学”。《善恶彼岸》是《查拉图斯特拉如此说》的思想的更加聚焦与延续,只不过,思想更犀利,目光更睿智。它们可说是姊妹篇。所以,现在把它们两本合而为一出版,是个非常不错的主意。而且,这样还可以用比较低廉的价格,给读者提供尼采更多的思想内容。本英译本是尼采自己认可的最权威版本。
  • 美丽英文:那一年,我们一起毕业

    美丽英文:那一年,我们一起毕业

    正是每天上演的一幕幕小事让生活如此多姿多彩,正是曾经拥有的一丝丝回忆让生命如此精彩纷呈。校园时代的记忆、毕业季的感悟、成长期的困惑以及对生命的种种沉思,尽在这本精彩的小书中。让我们从这些佳作中一起学习优美的英文,感受译文的魅力,懂得在珍惜当下的同时,对过去抱有感激,不抱怨、不气馁,一路勇敢地前行。
热门推荐
  • 陈友

    陈友

    神一样的降临,必有传奇般的人生,希望读者喜欢
  • 天行

    天行

    号称“北辰骑神”的天才玩家以自创的“牧马冲锋流”战术击败了国服第一弓手北冥雪,被誉为天纵战榜第一骑士的他,却受到小人排挤,最终离开了效力已久的银狐俱乐部。是沉沦,还是再次崛起?恰逢其时,月恒集团第四款游戏“天行”正式上线,虚拟世界再起风云!
  • 撼天纪

    撼天纪

    陈棋,只是一个科学实验品而已,却爆发了人类终极潜力,是末日还是曙光?不,只是,再创世——
  • 混沌之墨痕

    混沌之墨痕

    当热武器退下了舞台,地球人类即将濒临种族灭绝时斗气与魔法共舞,空间与时间交错。人们拿起了早已遗忘的冷兵器,那传说已久的炎黄内功,西方魔法斗气,神奇般的重现历史舞台在这混乱的年代,人类生存于夹缝,主角降临于世仅有以一颗勇敢的心,和满腔的热血只望能砸碎这混沌!破开这洪荒!撕裂这裂缝……替人类在这夹缝中拼出一块生存之地……
  • 特种岁月

    特种岁月

    “这个闪电利剑臂章,只有敢在阎王头上拉过屎,和死神掰过手腕的兵才有资格佩戴!告诉我!士兵,你有资格佩戴它吗?”庄严大声回答:有!我庄严有这个资格!(此书致敬每一位曾为国家奉献过青春,流过血、洒过汗的共和国军人!读者群号:764555748)
  • 猥琐战帝

    猥琐战帝

    猥琐之道,抢他人之宝以利己;睡他人之妻以满欲;杀他人之身以强体……一切,只为让从地球穿越而去的自己能够在险恶世界存活下去,成为凌驾万人之上的超级强者。看屌丝龙风,在险恶的异世界如何凭借他的猥琐与腹黑,驭各类异兽,御各式人妻,奴各色美人,杀各路天才,活出一条快活的战帝之路。
  • 你是我心里的骨

    你是我心里的骨

    一个性格早熟的男孩,一个身患脆骨症的女孩,从90年代开始,一起走过近三十年的平凡岁月……!
  • 奇幻世界的新人生

    奇幻世界的新人生

    武道大师在奇幻的魔法世界重生,带着前世的遗憾,踏上无敌的新人生之旅。
  • 傻女闯兽界

    傻女闯兽界

    为什么去银行存钱会把自己存进了这个小世界里啊?这是原始森林吗?这个大狮子是要干嘛?为什么追着我、臭猴子你不要看我了啊,我不是桃子啊不能吃啊,还有那条墨绿色的蛇你们是想干什么啊?
  • 上神大人偷偷爱

    上神大人偷偷爱

    哎呀!在上班路上的田可心痛呼出声。一块性感的石头华丽丽的砸中了她的头。额。很痛。什么?这块石头是什么上神?谁能告诉她一块硬邦邦的石头为什么会变成一个性感的男人?没错是性感,肤色古铜,五官轮廓分明而深邃,犹如希腊的雕塑,幽暗深邃的冰眸子,显得狂野不拘,邪魅性感。她要钞票这个男人给他变出了一大堆的金子她要看月亮,这个男人带她去月宫看嫦娥??????????????